When buying a used container, photos and listing text do not show you everything. Work through the list below in order, standing next to the container. Most items need no special tools; a torch and half an hour are enough.
Documents and identity
- Verify the number. The number on the door (e.g.
CSQU 305438 3) must match the number on the invoice and the bill of sale exactly. The last digit is a check digit; use our check digit tool to see whether the number is mathematically valid. - Look at the CSC plate. If you will use the container in international transport, the plate must show a valid examination date or an ACEP number. CSC is not required for fixed storage or office use. Details: How to read a CSC plate
- Pin down the grade. Grades commonly used in the market are: new / one-trip, cargo worthy (CW), wind & watertight (WWT) and as is. Different grades may be offered at the same price. Ask for the grade you are buying in writing.
Exterior structure
- Corner posts and corner castings. The container’s entire load is carried through these eight corners. A cracked, bent or weld-"patched" corner casting is a serious warning sign.
- Bottom side rails and cross members. Look under the container with a torch. Holed rails, flaking corrosion or collapsed cross members quickly drive up the repair cost.
- Walls and roof. Light dents are normal. Holes, tears and dips in the roof that would collect water are not. Look at the roof from a safe position.
Interior and doors
- Light test. Step inside and have the doors closed. Every chink of light coming through the walls, roof or door seals is a point where water can get in.
- Floor. Check the plywood floor for soft spots, holes, and absorbed oil or chemicals. A sharp smell may point to residue from previous cargo or fumigation. This is critical if you will use the container for food or as a living space.
- Doors and locking bars. The doors should open and close without force, the locking handles should seat in their keepers, and the seals should be intact. A door that sticks usually indicates that the body is distorted.
Delivery
- Plan the placement in advance. Truck and crane access to the site, the levelness and load-bearing capacity of the ground, and the spot where the container will be placed. The doors of a container set on uneven ground will stick over time.
When is a professional inspection essential? If you will use the container in international transport, if you are buying more than one container, if you disagree with the seller about the grade, or if you have a structural concern (corners, bottom side rails, floor). An inspection report also gives you solid grounds when negotiating.
Uskont carries out pre-purchase condition surveys and CSC examinations. Browse our inspection services or request a quote; we respond to quote requests within 12 hours.